Chrysanthemum plant named Totem

ABSTRACT

A chrysanthemum cultivar named Totem having flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type, orange bronze ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum up to 60 mm., medium plant height, spreading branching pattern, average natural season flowering date of Sept. 20, and average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled short day programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., hereinafter referred to by thecultivar name Totem.

Totem is a product of a planned breeding program which had the objectiveof creating cultivars with decorative capitulum type, medium height,spreading branching pattern, durable inflorescence, seven (7) weekflowering response period, and orange bronze ray floret color underoutdoor natural season conditions.

Totem was originated from a cross made by Grace H. Mack in a controlledbreeding program in New Canaan, Conn. in the year 1966. The male parentwas Y3363, an orange decorative, an undisseminated seedling selected bythe originator from a cross between Minnautumn and M150. The femaleparent was 539, a bronze decorative, an undisseminated seedling selectedby the originator from a cross of two unnamed seedlings (Y2392×M226).

Totem was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Grace H. Mack in September of 1967 in heroutdoor garden in New Canaan, Conn. The first act of asexualreproduction of Totem was accomplished when vegetative cuttings weretaken from the initial selection in 1968 in New Canaan, Conn. by GraceH. Mack. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated June 1979has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Totem are firmly fixed and are retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Totem has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity, and day length. The followingobservations, measurements, and comparisons describe plants grown in afield in Salinas, Calif. Rooted cuttings were established in soil in onegallon containers maintained outdoors under the natural temperature andday length prevailing during July through September. Single pinching waspracticed with all branches and buds retained.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Totem which in combination distinguish thischrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar;

(1) Flat capitulum form.

(2) Decorative capitulum type.

(3) Orange bronze ray floret color.

(4) Diameter across face of capitulum up to 60 mm.

(5) Medium plant height.

(6) Spreading branching pattern.

(7) Average natural season flowering date of Sept. 20.

(8) Average flowering response period of seven (7) weeks inphotoperiodic controlled flowering programs.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Totem. Sheet 1 is a color photograph ofTotem. Sheet 2 is a black and white photograph showing three views ofthe inflorescence of Totem. Sheet 3 is a black and white photographshowing top and bottom leaves of Totem at three stages of growth(mature, intermediate and immature).

Of the many commercially available cultivars known to the presentinventor, the most similar existing cultivar in comparison to Totem isRevere, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,005.

Reference is made to attached Chart A which compares certaincharacteristics of Totem with the same characteristics of Revere.

It will be noted that in comparison to Revere, Totem has different rayfloret color, similar average natural season flower date, and smallerdiameter across face of capitulum. The capitulum form, capitulum type,plant height, branching pattern, and plant spread of Totem are similarto those characteristics of Revere.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The color values were determinedbetween 10:00 and 10:30 A.M. on Sept. 9, 1981 under 150 foot-candlelight intensity at Salinas, Calif.

Botanical classification: Chrysanthemum morifolium, Ramat., cv Totem.

INFLORESCENCE

Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Decorative.

Permanence.--2 To 3 weeks.

Diameter across face.--50 To 60 mm.

Corolla of ray florets:

Color (abaxial).--170A Blended with 31A which oxidizes to 23B. The colorat center of the flower due to shadowing approximates 171B blended with34B.

Color (adaxial).--170B Streaked with 10A.

Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present disc florets.

Gynoecium.--Present both ray and disc florets.

Disc florets:

Color.--14A.

PLANT

General appearance: Spreading branching pattern; medium height.

Foliage:

Color (abaxial).--147A.

Color (adaxial).--147B.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        COMPARISON OF TOTEM AND REVERE                                                ______________________________________                                                                        AVERAGE                                                                       NATURAL                                                RAY       CAPITULUM    SEASON                                                 FLORET    FORM AND     FLOWER                                        CULTIVAR COLOR     TYPE         DATE                                          ______________________________________                                        TOTEM    ORANGE    FLAT         SEPTEMBER 20                                           BRONZE    DECORATIVE                                                 REVERE   BRONZE    FLAT         SEPTEMBER 25                                                     DECORATIVE                                                 ______________________________________                                                                        DIAMETER                                                         BRANCHING    ACROSS                                                 PLANT     PATTERN AND  FACE OF                                       CULTIVAR HEIGHT    SPREAD       CAPITULUM                                     ______________________________________                                        TOTEM    MEDIUM    SPREADING    50 to 60 mm.                                  REVERE   SHORT     SPREADING    55 to 65 mm.                                  ______________________________________                                        COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN UNDER                                        NATURAL SEASON OUTDOOR FIELD CONDITIONS IN                                    SALINAS, CALIFORNIA                                                       

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Chrysanthemum morifolium,Ramat., plant known by the name Totem, as described and illustrated, andparticularly characterized as to uniqueness by the combinedcharacteristics of flat capitulum form, decorative capitulum type,orange bronze ray floret color, diameter across face of capitulum up to60 mm., medium plant height, spreading branching pattern, averagenatural season flowering date of Sept. 20, and average floweringresponse period of seven (7) weeks in photoperiodic controlled short dayprograms.